Control system and control method for elevator

Abstract

To provide information about congestion states at an elevator landing and in a car to an autonomous traveling robot.SOLUTION: An elevator control system (100) comprises: a request receiving unit (111) that receives congestion information acquisition request containing destination information indicating a destination floor of a robot (2) which uses an elevator (3); a calculation unit (112) that calculates destination floor congestion information indicating a congestion state of an elevator landing of the destination floor and car congestion information indicating a congestion state in a car (31); and a notification unit (113) that notifies the congestion information containing the destination floor congestion information and the car congestion information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator control system for allowing a robot to use an elevator, and a control method for the elevator control system. [Background technology]

[0002] If an autonomous robot starts using the elevator when the elevator hall is crowded, the elevator may become even more crowded, reducing the convenience of using the elevator.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a building management system in which an autonomous mobile body control device that controls an autonomous mobile body uses the calculated congestion relief time required to relieve congestion at an elevator hall to decide whether to change the operation plan of the autonomous mobile body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7352222 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If the platform at the robot's destination floor is crowded, a large number of passengers may get into the elevator at that floor, making it difficult for the robot to exit the elevator smoothly. Also, if the elevator is crowded, the robot may not be able to enter the elevator. For example, if the elevator is full, the elevator may pass the robot's departure floor.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize an elevator control system and an elevator control method that can provide an autonomously moving robot with information about the congestion status of an elevator hall and inside the car. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an elevator control system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a request receiving unit that receives a request to obtain congestion information including destination floor information indicating the destination floor of an autonomously traveling robot that uses an elevator, a calculation unit that calculates destination floor congestion information indicating the congestion status of the elevator hall at the destination floor and car congestion information indicating the congestion status inside the elevator car during a predetermined period including the time when the request to obtain congestion information is received, and a notification unit that notifies the user of the congestion information including the destination floor congestion information and the car congestion information.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, a control method of an elevator control system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a request receiving step of receiving a congestion information acquisition request including destination floor information indicating the destination floor of an autonomously traveling robot that uses an elevator; a calculation step of calculating destination floor congestion information indicating the congestion status of the elevator hall at the destination floor and car congestion information indicating the congestion status inside the elevator car during a predetermined period including the time when the congestion information acquisition request is received; and a notification step of notifying the congestion information including the destination floor congestion information and the car congestion information.

[0009] The elevator control system according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control program for the elevator control system, which causes the computer to operate as each part (software element) of the elevator control system, thereby realizing the elevator control system on the computer, and the computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, an autonomously moving robot can be provided with information about the congestion status of an elevator hall and inside the car. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an elevator control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of elevator information. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of hall call information. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of car call information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of robot call information. [Figure 6] 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the elevator control system. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [Embodiment 1] <Overview of Elevator Control System 100> An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator control system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the elevator control system 100 includes an elevator control device 1, a robot 2, an elevator 3, a hall camera 4, and a detection device 5. As shown in Fig. 1, the hall camera 4 and the detection device 5 are provided at the halls of each floor.

[0013] The elevator control system 100 is a system that controls the operation of the elevator 3 based on call registration by the autonomously traveling robot 2 or a human user. The elevator control system 100 accepts a request to acquire congestion information, including destination floor information indicating the destination floor of the robot 2. Furthermore, based on a request from the robot 2, the elevator control system 100 identifies the congestion status, which indicates the degree of congestion in the areas that the robot 2 passes through when the robot 2 uses the elevator 3, and notifies the robot 2 of the status.

[0014] For example, the elevator control system 100 calculates destination floor congestion information indicating the congestion state of the elevator hall at the destination floor and car congestion information indicating the congestion state in the car 31 of the elevator 3 for a predetermined period including the time when the congestion information acquisition request is received. Furthermore, the elevator control system 100 notifies the congestion information including the destination floor congestion information and the car congestion information to, for example, the robot 2 that sent the congestion information acquisition request.

[0015] According to this configuration, the elevator control system 100 notifies the autonomously traveling robot 2 using the elevator 3 of at least destination floor congestion information indicating the congestion state of the elevator hall at the destination floor and car congestion information indicating the congestion state inside the car 31. This allows the robot 2 to determine whether or not to use the elevator 3 based on the congestion state of the elevator hall at the destination floor and the congestion state inside the car 31.

[0016] Furthermore, the elevator control system 100 may further calculate departure floor congestion information indicating the congestion status of the landing at the departure floor of the robot 2, and notify the departure floor congestion information in addition to the destination floor congestion information and the car congestion information. This allows the robot 2 to determine whether to use the elevator 3, taking into consideration the congestion status of the landing at the departure floor, in addition to the congestion status of the landing at the destination floor and the congestion status inside the car 31.

[0017] In the following, an example will be described in which the elevator control system 100 calculates departure floor congestion information in addition to destination floor congestion information and car congestion information, and notifies the robot 2 of the information.

[0018] <Elevator 3> 1, the elevator 3 includes a car 31, a door 32, a load detection device 33, and an in-car camera 34. The elevator 3 also includes an operation panel (not shown) at the landing of each floor, for example, for users to register hall calls. The elevator 3 also includes an operation panel (not shown) inside the car 31 for users to register car calls.

[0019] The car 31 operates based on the control of the car control unit 116 of the elevator control device 1, and moves between floors. The door 32 opens and closes according to the control of the door control unit 115 of the elevator control device 1. Note that the doors of the landings also open and close in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 32 of the car 31.

[0020] The load detection device 33 is a device capable of detecting a load caused by a user or the robot 2 in the car 31. The load detection device 33 detects the load in the car 31 and transmits a load detection signal to the elevator control device 1.

[0021] The car interior camera 34 is a camera capable of capturing an image of the inside of the car 31. The car interior camera 34 transmits an image of the inside of the car 31 captured by the car interior camera 34 to the elevator control device 1.

[0022] <Platform camera 4 and detection device 5> The hall camera 4 and the detection device 5 are devices capable of acquiring information for identifying the congestion state of the hall. As shown in Fig. 1, the hall camera 4 and the detection device 5 are provided at the hall on each floor.

[0023] The hall camera 4 is a camera capable of capturing an image of the hall of the floor on which the hall camera 4 is installed. The hall camera 4 transmits to the elevator control device 1 a hall image obtained by capturing an image of the elevator hall.

[0024] The detection device 5 is a device capable of detecting a user who has arrived at the elevator hall. For example, the detection device 5 may be a photoelectric device capable of detecting a user present at the elevator hall. The detection device 5 transmits a detection signal to the elevator control device 1 when it detects a user who has arrived at the elevator hall.

[0025] <Elevator control device 1> The elevator control device 1 receives calls from users and the robot 2, and controls the elevator 3 in response to the received calls. In addition, based on a congestion status acquisition request received from the robot 2, the elevator control device 1 calculates congestion information indicating the congestion status at the landings of the robot 2's departure and destination floors and inside the car 31, and notifies the robot 2 of the information.

[0026] 1, the elevator control device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an input / output interface 13. The input / output interface 13 is a communication module for communicating between the elevator control device 1 and the robot 2 and elevator 3.

[0027] [Storage section 12] The memory unit 12 stores various information used by the elevator control device 1. As shown in Fig. 1 , the memory unit 12 stores elevator information 121, call registration information 122, hall image information 123, detection information 124, load detection information 125, and car interior image information 126.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of elevator information 121. The elevator information 121 is information relating to the state of the elevator 3. The elevator information 121 includes information indicating the current floor indicating the current position of the car 31, the current movement direction of the car 31, and the current operation mode of the elevator 3. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the upward arrow "↑" indicates that the movement direction of the car 31 is the direction of movement to an upper floor.

[0029] The operation modes of the elevator 3 include a normal operation mode and a robot-only operation mode. The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the elevator 3 operates in a state in which it can accept hall calls and car calls from users, and hall destination floor calls from the robot 2. The robot-only operation mode is an operation mode when a call from the robot 2 is registered, in which it does not accept hall calls and car calls from users, and it operates in a state in which only the robot 2 can use the elevator 3.

[0030] The call registration information 122 is information relating to calls made by users and the robot 2. The call registration information 122 includes hall call information 127, car call information 128, and robot call information 129.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of hall call information 127. Hall call information 127 is information related to hall calls made by users. As shown in FIG. 3, hall call information 127 includes information indicating the floor where the hall call was made (hall call floor), i.e., the departure floor of the user, and the direction of travel specified by the hall call. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of car call information 128. Car call information 128 is information related to car calls made by users. As shown in FIG. 4, car call information 128 includes information indicating the destination floor of the user (car call floor).

[0032] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of robot call information 129. Robot call information 129 is information related to hall and destination floor calls by robot 2. As shown in Fig. 5, robot call information 129 includes information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of robot 2.

[0033] The hall image information 123 is information indicating a hall image, which is an image of an elevator hall. The elevator control device 1 acquires hall images of each floor from the hall cameras 4 installed on each floor, and stores the acquired hall images in the storage unit 12 as the hall image information 123.

[0034] The detection information 124 is information indicating the result of detecting a user who has arrived at a landing. The elevator control device 1 acquires a detection signal indicating the detection result at each floor from the detection device 5 provided on each floor, and stores the detection information 124 in the memory unit 12.

[0035] The load detection information 125 is information indicating the result of detecting the load in the car 31. The elevator control device 1 acquires a weight detection signal indicating the result of detecting the load in the car 31 from the load detection device 33 provided in the car 31, and stores the signal in the memory unit 12 as the load detection information 125.

[0036] The car interior image information 126 is information indicating a car interior image, which is an image captured inside the car 31. The elevator control device 1 acquires the car interior image from the car interior camera 34 installed in the car 31, and stores the car interior image information 126 in the memory unit 12.

[0037] [Control unit 11] The control unit 11 executes each process performed in the elevator control device 1. As shown in Fig. 1 , the control unit 11 includes a request receiving unit 111, a calculation unit 112, a notification unit 113, a call receiving unit 114, a door control unit 115, a car control unit 116, and a switching unit 117.

[0038] (Request reception unit 111) The request receiving unit 111 receives a congestion information acquisition request from the robot 2. The congestion information acquisition request includes destination floor information indicating the destination floor of the robot 2. The congestion information acquisition request further includes departure floor information indicating the departure floor of the robot 2. When the request receiving unit 111 receives a congestion information acquisition request, it outputs the received congestion information acquisition request to the calculation unit 112.

[0039] (Calculation unit 112) The calculation unit 112 calculates destination floor congestion information indicating the congestion state of the elevator hall at the destination floor of the robot 2 and car congestion information indicating the congestion state inside the car 31 of the elevator 3 for a predetermined period including the time when the congestion information acquisition request is received. The predetermined period may be a period during which the most recent congestion state of the elevator 3 can be identified. For example, the predetermined period may be a period that starts two minutes before the elevator control device 1 receives the congestion information acquisition request and ends at the time when the elevator control device 1 receives the congestion information acquisition request.

[0040] The calculation unit 112 calculates destination floor congestion information using at least one of (1) an elevator hall image of the elevator hall at the destination floor, (2) a detection signal that detects a user who has arrived at the elevator hall at the destination floor, and (3) information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of a user who has registered a hall destination floor call.

[0041] Specifically, based on the congestion information acquisition request, the calculation unit 112 identifies the destination floor of the robot 2. The calculation unit 112 refers to the memory unit 12 and acquires hall image information 123 and detection information 124 of the hall at the destination floor of the robot 2 for a predetermined period including the time when the congestion information acquisition request was received. The calculation unit 112 calculates destination floor congestion information indicating the congestion state of the hall at the destination floor of the robot 2 from the hall image information 123 and detection information 124.

[0042] As an example, the calculation unit 112 calculates, as the destination floor congestion information, the congestion rate of the hall at the destination floor of the robot 2. Specifically, the calculation unit 112 identifies the number of users present at the hall at the destination floor of the robot 2, based on the hall image information 123 and the detection information 124. The calculation unit 112 calculates, as the destination floor congestion information, a value indicating the ratio of the number of users present at the hall to the maximum number of people that can be accommodated at the hall at the destination floor of the robot 2.

[0043] Alternatively, the calculation unit 112 calculates, based on the hall image information 123, the ratio of the area occupied by users and others present at the hall of the destination floor of the robot 2 to the floor area of ​​the hall of the destination floor of the robot 2 as destination floor congestion information.

[0044] The calculation unit 112 calculates car congestion information using at least one of (1) a load detection signal that detects the load inside the car 31 and (2) an image of the inside of the car 31 captured.

[0045] Specifically, the calculation unit 112 refers to the storage unit 12 and acquires car interior image information 126 and load detection information 125 for a predetermined period including the time when the congestion information acquisition request is received. The calculation unit 112 calculates car congestion information indicating the congestion state inside the car 31 from the car interior image information 126 and the load detection information 125.

[0046] As an example, the calculation unit 112 calculates the congestion rate inside the car 31 as the car congestion information. Specifically, the calculation unit 112 identifies the number of users present inside the car 31 based on the car interior image information 126 and the load detection information 125. The calculation unit 112 calculates, as the car congestion information, a value indicating the ratio of the number of users present inside the car 31 to the maximum number of people that can be accommodated in the car 31.

[0047] Alternatively, the calculation unit 112 calculates, as destination floor congestion information, the ratio of the area occupied by users and the like present at the landing of the destination floor of the robot 2 to the floor area of ​​the landing of the destination floor of the robot 2, based on the landing image information 123. Furthermore, the calculation unit 112 calculates, as car congestion information, a value indicating the ratio of the load weight in the car 31 to the maximum weight that can be loaded in the car 31, based on the load detection information 125.

[0048] In addition, in response to the received congestion information acquisition request, the calculation unit 112 further calculates departure floor congestion information that indicates the congestion state of the elevator hall at the departure floor during a predetermined period.

[0049] The calculation unit 112 calculates the departure floor congestion information using at least one of (1) a landing image of the elevator landing at the departure floor, (2) a detection signal that detects a user who has arrived at the elevator landing at the departure floor, and (3) information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of a user who has registered a landing destination floor call.

[0050] Specifically, based on the congestion information acquisition request, the calculation unit 112 identifies the departure floor of the robot 2. The calculation unit 112 refers to the memory unit 12 and acquires hall image information 123 and detection information 124 of the hall at the departure floor of the robot 2 for a predetermined period including the time when the congestion information acquisition request was received. The calculation unit 112 calculates destination floor congestion information that indicates the congestion status of the hall at the departure floor of the robot 2 from the hall image information 123 and detection information 124.

[0051] As an example, the calculation unit 112 calculates, as the departure floor congestion information, the congestion rate of the platform at the departure floor of the robot 2. Specifically, the calculation unit 112 identifies the number of users present at the platform at the departure floor of the robot 2, based on the platform image information 123 and the detection information 124. The calculation unit 112 calculates, as the departure floor congestion information, a value indicating the ratio of the number of users present at the platform to the maximum number of people that can be accommodated at the platform at the departure floor of the robot 2.

[0052] Alternatively, the calculation unit 112 calculates, based on the platform image information 123, the ratio of the area occupied by users, etc. present at the platform at the departure floor of the robot 2 to the floor area of ​​the platform at the departure floor of the robot 2 as departure floor congestion information.

[0053] The calculation unit 112 outputs the calculated congestion information to the notification unit 113. Here, the congestion information includes at least destination floor congestion information and car congestion information. The congestion information may further include departure floor congestion information.

[0054] (Notification Department 113) When the notification unit 113 acquires the congestion information calculated by the calculation unit 112, it notifies the robot 2 of the congestion information. The congestion information includes departure floor congestion information, destination floor congestion information, and car congestion information.

[0055] (Call reception unit 114) The call reception unit 114 receives call registration requests from users and the robot 2. Note that a call registration request from a user can be made using an operation panel (not shown) provided at the elevator hall or in the car 31 of the elevator 3.

[0056] When a call registration request is received from a user, the call reception unit 114 stores the user's departure floor and direction of travel, or the user's destination floor, in the call registration information 122 of the memory unit 12, and registers the user's hall call or car call.

[0057] When a call registration request is received from the robot 2, the call reception unit 114 stores the departure floor and destination floor of the robot 2 in the robot call information 129 in the memory unit 12, and registers a hall destination floor call for the robot 2. Furthermore, when a hall destination floor call for the robot 2 is registered, the call reception unit 114 outputs a signal to the switching unit 117 to instruct the start of robot-only operation. This starts robot-only operation, and the elevator 3 operates in robot-only operation mode. While in the robot-only operation mode, the call reception unit 114 does not accept call registration requests from users. When a hall destination floor call for the robot 2 is registered, the call reception unit 114 sends information to the robot 2 indicating that call registration has been completed.

[0058] (Door control unit 115) The door control unit 115 controls the opening and closing of the door 32 of the car 31. When the car 31 arrives at any floor, the door control unit 115 acquires information indicating that the car 31 has stopped from the car control unit 116. Upon acquiring this information, the door control unit 115 transmits a signal to the door 32 of the elevator 3 instructing it to open the door. As a result, the door 32 of the car 31 opens, and the landing door also opens in conjunction with the door 32 of the car 31. In addition, the door control unit 115 transmits a signal to the door 32 instructing it to close the door a predetermined time after the door opens (for example, 20 seconds after the door opening is completed). As a result, the door 32 of the car 31 and the landing door close.

[0059] Furthermore, if an open / close button or the like at the landing or inside the car 31 is operated while the door 32 is open, the door control unit 115 extends or shortens the door open time depending on the operation content.

[0060] Furthermore, the door control unit 115 refers to the elevator information 121 in the memory unit 12, and when the elevator 3 is operating in robot-only operation mode, transmits to the robot 2 information indicating the floor at which the car 31 is stopping and information indicating that the door has opened.

[0061] In addition, when the elevator 3 is operating in the robot-only operation mode, if the door control unit 115 receives a door-open hold command from the robot 2 while the door 32 is open, it will hold the door 32 open.

[0062] When a predetermined time has elapsed since the door opened at the departure floor of the robot 2, or when the door control unit 115 receives a boarding completion signal from the robot 2, the door control unit 115 sends a signal to the door 32 instructing it to close the door. The door control unit 115 also outputs information indicating that the door has closed to the car control unit 116. As a result, the car 21 moves to the destination floor of the robot 2.

[0063] When a predetermined time has elapsed since the door opened at the destination floor of the robot 2, or when the door control unit 115 receives a disembarkation completion signal from the robot 2, the door control unit 115 sends a signal to the door 32 instructing it to close the door. The door control unit 115 also outputs a signal to the switching unit 117 instructing it to end robot-only operation. The door control unit 115 also outputs information indicating that the door has closed to the car control unit 116. As a result, the robot-only operation ends under the control of the switching unit 117, and the car 31 moves to the destination floor of the user stored in the call registration information 122 under the control of the car control unit 116.

[0064] (Cage control unit 116) The car control unit 116 moves the car 31 based on the registered hall call, car call, and hall destination floor call by the robot 2. When the car 31 arrives at the departure floor of the robot 2, the car control unit 116 outputs information indicating the stopping floor of the car 31 to the door control unit 115.

[0065] The car control unit 116 determines the destination floor of the car 31 based on the departure floor and destination floor of the user and robot 2 recorded in the call registration information 122 and the operation mode of the elevator 3.

[0066] For example, when the operation mode of the elevator 3 is the normal operation mode, the car control unit 116 determines the destination floor of the car 31 by referring to the hall call information 127 and the car call information 128, and transmits a signal to the car 31 instructing it to move to the determined floor. As a result, the car 31 of the elevator 3 moves to the destination floor based on the hall call and car call of the user.

[0067] Furthermore, when the operation mode of the elevator 3 is the robot-only operation mode, the car control unit 116 determines the destination floor of the car 31 by referring to the robot call information 129, and transmits a signal to the car 31 instructing it to move to the determined floor. As a result, the car 31 of the elevator 3 moves to the departure floor and destination floor based on the landing destination floor call of the robot 2.

[0068] When robot-only operation is started, the car control unit 116 may have the elevator 3 respond to a registered car call before instructing the robot 2 to move to the departure floor. This allows passengers who were in the car 31 when robot-only operation started to disembark before the robot 2 boards the car. When robot-only operation is started, the car control unit 116 may also delete the registered hall call, or may have the elevator 3 respond to a registered hall call after robot-only operation has ended.

[0069] (Switching unit 117) The switching unit 117 switches the operation mode of the elevator 3. For example, when the call receiving unit 114 registers a call for the robot 2, it outputs a signal to the switching unit 117 instructing the start of robot-only operation. Upon receiving this signal, the switching unit 117 switches the operation mode of the elevator 3 stored in the elevator information 121 from the normal operation mode to the robot-only operation mode. This starts the robot-only operation of the elevator 3.

[0070] Furthermore, when the switching unit 117 receives a signal from the door control unit 115 instructing the end of robot-only operation, it switches the operation mode of the elevator 3 stored in the memory unit 12 from the robot-only operation mode to the normal operation mode, thereby ending the robot-only operation of the elevator 3.

[0071] <Robot 2> The robot 2 is an information processing device capable of autonomous travel, and can move between floors using the elevator 3. Although only one robot 2 is shown in FIG. 1, the elevator control system 100 may include multiple robots 2.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 1, the robot 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and an operation unit 23, and is communicatively connected to the elevator control device 1. The control unit 21 executes processing performed by the robot 2. The storage unit 22 stores information used by the robot 2. The operation unit 23 operates under the control of the operation control unit 213, and moves the robot 2 to a desired location.

[0073] [Storage section 22] 1, the storage unit 22 stores first reference information 221, second reference information 222, and third reference information 223. The first reference information 221, second reference information 222, and third reference information 223 are information indicating criteria for the robot 2 to determine whether or not to request call registration.

[0074] The first standard information 221 is information indicating a first standard. The first standard is a standard indicating the upper limit of the degree of congestion at the elevator hall at the destination floor of the robot 2, and is expressed, for example, by a numerical value. When the numerical value indicating the congestion state of the elevator hall at the destination floor of the robot 2, which is expressed by the destination floor congestion information, is equal to or less than the first standard, it can be said that the elevator hall is empty enough for the robot 2 to use without any problems.

[0075] The first criterion may be set to a value such that the robot 2 cannot disembark from the car 31 to the hall if the numerical value represented by the destination floor congestion information exceeds the first criterion, but can disembark if the numerical value is equal to or less than the first criterion. The first criterion may also be set to a value with a greater margin of error. For example, the first criterion may be set to a value such that, if the numerical value represented by the destination floor congestion information is equal to or less than the first criterion, it is expected that the robot 2 is unlikely to cause a hindrance to users when disembarking from the car 31 to the hall.

[0076] The second standard information 222 is information indicating a second standard. The second standard is a standard indicating the upper limit of the degree of congestion of the car 31 of the elevator 3, and is expressed, for example, by a numerical value. For example, if the occupancy rate of the car 31 indicated by the car congestion information is equal to or less than the second standard, it can be said that the car 31 is empty enough for the robot 2 to use it without any problems. The second standard may be set to a value such that even if the robot 2 occupies the car 31, the impact on the travel efficiency of users can be negligible. Furthermore, the second standard may be a value indicating the upper limit of the load when the robot 2 rides in the car 31. In this case, if the sum of the weight of the robot 2 including cargo and the load in the car 31 is equal to or less than the second standard, it can be said that the car 31 is empty enough for the robot 2 to use it without any problems.

[0077] The third criterion information 223 is information indicating a third criterion. The third criterion is a criterion indicating the upper limit of the degree of congestion at the elevator hall at the departure floor of the robot 2, and is expressed, for example, by a numerical value. When the numerical value indicating the congestion state of the elevator hall at the departure floor of the robot 2, which is expressed by the departure floor congestion information, is equal to or less than the third criterion, it can be said that the elevator hall is empty enough for the robot 2 to use without any problems.

[0078] The third criterion may be set to a value such that the robot 2 cannot board the car 31 from the hall if the numerical value represented by the departure floor congestion information exceeds the third criterion, but can board if the numerical value is equal to or less than the third criterion. The third criterion may also be set to a value with a greater margin of error. For example, the third criterion may be set to a value such that the robot 2 is unlikely to get in the way of passengers when boarding the car 31 from the hall if the numerical value represented by the departure floor congestion information is equal to or less than the third criterion.

[0079] The first criterion, the second criterion, and the third criterion are set based on at least one of the type of robot 2 and the purpose for which the robot 2 uses the elevator 3.

[0080] For example, if the robot 2 is a type of robot that needs to rush to a destination floor, such as for emergency use or firefighting, the first, second, and third criteria are set to higher values ​​for the robot 2. This allows the robot 2 to use the elevator 3 even if the landing at the departure floor, the landing at the destination floor, and inside the car 31 are somewhat crowded.

[0081] On the other hand, if the robot 2 is a type of robot that is relatively less likely to move to a destination floor, such as for transporting luggage, the first, second, and third criteria for that robot 2 are set to lower values. This allows human users to be given priority over the robot 2 when the boarding area at the departure floor, the boarding area at the destination floor, and inside the car 31 are crowded.

[0082] Note that even if the robot 2 is a type of robot such as an emergency or firefighting robot, there may be little need for it to move to the destination floor depending on the purpose. For example, when such a robot 2 completes a task and moves to a floor where the robot 2 is waiting, it is considered that there is little need for it to move to the destination floor. Therefore, the robot 2 may be set with a plurality of first, second, and third criteria corresponding to the purpose for which the robot 2 uses the elevator 3. The determination unit 212 (described below) refers to the first, second, and third criteria corresponding to the purpose for which the robot 2 uses the elevator 3, and determines whether to request call registration.

[0083] The first standard may be set lower than the third standard. Because the robot 2 has moved to the platform at the departure floor when it sends the congestion information acquisition request, passengers at the platform can recognize the presence of the robot 2. Therefore, even if the platform at the departure floor is somewhat crowded, it is considered relatively unlikely that the robot 2 will be unable to board at the departure floor. On the other hand, passengers at the platform at the destination floor are likely to be unable to recognize that the robot 2 is getting off from the car 31, and if the platform at the destination floor is crowded, there is a possibility that the robot 2 will not be able to get off from the car 31.

[0084] Here, by setting the first criterion lower than the third criterion, the determination unit 212 can request call registration when the congestion level of the platform at the destination floor is equal to or lower than the congestion level of the platform at the departure floor. This reduces the possibility of a situation occurring in which the robot 2 cannot get off at the destination floor after getting on the car 31 at the departure floor.

[0085] [Control unit 21] As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 21 includes a request unit 211, a decision unit 212, and an operation control unit 213.

[0086] (Request Department 211) When the robot 2 needs to use the elevator 3, the request unit 211 generates a congestion information acquisition request and transmits it to the elevator control device 1. The congestion information acquisition request is information for requesting the elevator control device 1 to acquire congestion information, and includes destination floor information indicating the destination floor of the robot 2. The congestion information acquisition request also includes departure floor information indicating the departure floor of the robot 2.

[0087] (Decision unit 212) The determination unit 212 receives congestion information from the elevator control device 1. The congestion information includes destination floor congestion information indicating the congestion state of the landing at the destination floor, car congestion information indicating the congestion state in the car 31, and departure floor congestion information indicating the congestion state of the landing at the departure floor.

[0088] Upon receiving the congestion information, the determination unit 212 refers to the storage unit 22 and acquires the first reference information 221, the second reference information 222, and the third reference information 223. The determination unit 212 compares the first reference, the second reference, and the third reference indicated by the first reference information 221, the second reference information 222, and the third reference information 223 with the destination floor congestion information, the car congestion information, and the departure floor congestion information, and determines whether to request the elevator control device 1 to register a call based on the comparison result.

[0089] For example, if the landing at the destination floor of robot 2 and the inside of car 31 in which robot 2 is riding are not crowded, i.e., if the degree of congestion indicated by the calculated congestion situation is below a preset standard, decision unit 212 decides to request call registration.

[0090] Specifically, the decision unit 212 of the robot 2 decides to send a call registration request for the elevator 3 car to the elevator control device 1 when the congestion state indicated by the destination floor congestion information is below a first standard, the congestion state indicated by the car congestion information is below a second standard, and the congestion state indicated by the departure floor congestion information is below a third standard.

[0091] When the determination unit 212 determines to send a call registration request, it generates a call registration request including information indicating the departure floor and the destination floor, and sends it to the elevator control device 1. As a result, the call for the robot 2 is registered in the elevator control device 1, and the robot 2 becomes able to move between floors using the elevator 3.

[0092] On the other hand, if the landing at the destination floor of robot 2 and the inside of car 31 in which robot 2 is riding are crowded, i.e., if the degree of congestion indicated by the calculated congestion situation exceeds a preset standard, decision unit 212 decides not to request call registration.

[0093] If the decision unit 212 decides not to request call registration based on the congestion status, the decision unit 212 may put the robot 2 to sleep until a predetermined time has passed during which the congestion is expected to be alleviated to some extent. Furthermore, the request unit 211 may send a congestion status acquisition request again after a predetermined time, for example, about two minutes, has passed since the robot 2 started to sleep.

[0094] As described above, the determination unit 212 determines whether to send a call registration request depending on the congestion status of the landing at the elevator 3 and inside the car 31. This reduces the possibility that the robot 2 will use a crowded landing at the departure floor, landing at the destination floor, and car 31, thereby interfering with other users using the elevator 3 and thereby reducing the convenience of the elevator 3. It also reduces the possibility that the robot 2 will occupy the elevator 3 when the landing at the elevator 3 or inside the car 31 is crowded, thereby reducing the convenience of the elevator 3 for users. It also reduces the possibility that a situation will occur in which the landing at the departure floor or inside the car 31 is crowded and the robot 2 cannot board the car 31, or the landing at the destination floor is crowded and the robot 2 cannot disembark.

[0095] (Operation control unit 213) The operation control unit 213 operates the operation unit 23 to move the robot 2 to a desired position. For example, when the robot 2 needs to use the elevator 3, the operation control unit 213 operates the operation unit 23 to move the robot 2 to the landing of the floor where the robot 2 is located. Furthermore, when the robot 2 receives information indicating that the call registration has been completed from the elevator control device 1, the robot 2 waits for the car 31 at the landing. At this time, the operation control unit 213 may wait for the robot 2 in the same position as when the congestion information acquisition request was sent, or may move the robot 2 to a position where it is easy to board the car 31 and then wait there.

[0096] Furthermore, the operation control unit 213 controls the robot 2 to board from the landing at the departure floor to the car 31 and to disembark from the car 31 to the destination floor based on the information received from the elevator control device 1. When the robot 2 has completed boarding from the landing at the departure floor to the car 31, the operation control unit 213 transmits a boarding completion signal to the elevator control device 1, and when the robot 2 has completed disembarking from the car 31 to the landing at the destination floor, the operation control unit 213 transmits a boarding completion signal to the elevator control device 1.

[0097] <Example of Processing Performed in Elevator Control System 100> Fig. 6 is a flowchart and a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed in the elevator control system 100. The flow of processing performed in the elevator control system 100 will be explained below with reference to Fig. 6. Note that Fig. 6 shows the processing performed in the elevator control system 100 from when the robot 2 needs to use the elevator 3 until the call registration of the robot 2 is completed in the elevator control device 1.

[0098] First, when the robot 2 needs to use the elevator 3, the operation control unit 213 operates the operation unit 23 to start moving to the elevator hall (S1). Next, the request unit 211 transmits a congestion information acquisition request, including information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the robot 2, to the elevator control device 1, requesting the acquisition of congestion information (S2).

[0099] The request receiving unit 111 receives a congestion information acquisition request from the robot 2 (S11: request receiving step). The request receiving unit 111 outputs the received congestion information acquisition request to the calculation unit 112.

[0100] When the calculation unit 112 receives a congestion information acquisition request, it calculates congestion information. Specifically, when the calculation unit 112 receives a congestion information acquisition request, it identifies the departure floor and destination floor of the robot 2. The calculation unit 112 refers to the memory unit 12 and acquires hall image information 123 and detection information 124 of the hall at the destination floor of the robot 2 during a predetermined period. Based on the acquired hall image information 123 and detection information 124, the calculation unit 112 calculates destination floor congestion information that indicates the congestion status of the destination floor of the robot 2 during the predetermined period (S12: calculation step).

[0101] Next, the calculation unit 112 refers to the memory unit 12 and acquires the car interior image information 126 and the load detection information 125 for the predetermined period. Based on the acquired car interior image information 126 and load detection information 125, the calculation unit 112 calculates car interior congestion information that indicates the congestion state in the car 31 for the predetermined period (S13: calculation step).

[0102] Furthermore, the calculation unit 112 refers to the storage unit 12 and acquires hall image information 123 and detection information 124 of the hall at the departure floor of the robot 2 for a predetermined period. Based on the acquired hall image information 123 and detection information 124, the calculation unit 112 calculates departure floor congestion information that indicates the congestion state of the departure floor of the robot 2 for the predetermined period (S14). Note that the processing of step S14, together with the processing of steps S12 to S13, may also be referred to as a calculation step.

[0103] The calculation unit 112 outputs congestion information including the calculated destination floor congestion information, car congestion information, and departure floor congestion information to the notification unit 113. When the notification unit 113 acquires the congestion information from the calculation unit 112, it notifies the robot 2 of the congestion information (S15: notification step).

[0104] When the determination unit 212 acquires the congestion information notified from the elevator control device 1, the determination unit 212 refers to the storage unit 22 and acquires the first reference information 221, the second reference information 222, and the third reference information 223. The determination unit 212 determines whether to request call registration based on the congestion information and the first, second, and third criteria.

[0105] Specifically, the determination unit 212 determines whether the congestion state indicated by the destination floor congestion information is equal to or less than a first standard, and the congestion state indicated by the car congestion information is equal to or less than a second standard, and the congestion state indicated by the departure floor congestion information is equal to or less than a third standard (S3).

[0106] If the answer is YES in step S3, the determination unit 212 requests the elevator control device 1 to register a call (S4). Specifically, the determination unit 212 generates a call registration request including information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the robot 2 and information indicating a call registration request, and transmits the call registration request to the elevator control device 1.

[0107] The call reception unit 114 receives a call registration based on the call registration request from the robot 2 (S16). After that, the elevator control device 1 controls the elevator 3 based on the call registration request from the robot 2, and the robot 2 uses the elevator 3 to move between floors.

[0108] If the answer is NO in step S3, that is, if at least one of the congestion status indicated by the destination floor congestion information, the congestion status indicated by the car congestion information, and the congestion status indicated by the departure floor congestion information exceeds the corresponding standard, the decision unit 212 decides not to request call registration.

[0109] In this case, the determination unit 212 puts the robot 2 to sleep for a predetermined time (S5). After the predetermined time has elapsed, the request unit 211 again performs the process of step S2, that is, the process of transmitting a congestion information acquisition request.

[0110] As described above, in the elevator control system 100, the robot 2 requests call registration when the congestion status at the landing and inside the car 31 indicated by the congestion information is equal to or less than the reference values ​​indicated by the first, second, and third standards. Therefore, the robot 2 can request call registration when the landings at the departure and destination floors and inside the car 31 are not too crowded, thereby reducing the possibility that the convenience of the elevator 3 for other users will decrease.

[0111] Furthermore, if the congestion status at the landing and inside the car 31 exceeds the reference values ​​indicated by the first, second, and third standards, the robot 2 sleeps for a predetermined time without requesting call registration and then transmits a congestion information acquisition request. As a result, even if the landing or inside the car 31 is congested when the robot 2 transmits the first congestion information acquisition request and the robot 2 is unable to make a call request, the robot 2 can acquire congestion information again and determine whether to make a call request based on the acquired congestion information. Therefore, the robot 2 can request call registration and use the elevator 3 when the congestion at the landing and inside the car 31 of the elevator 3 has eased to a certain extent.

[0112] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0113] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator control system 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 7, the elevator control system 100A includes a robot management control device 6 (management device) in addition to the configuration included in the elevator control system 100 according to the first embodiment. The robot management control device 6 is a device that comprehensively manages the robot 2. The robot management control device 6 is communicably connected to the elevator control device 1 and the robot 2, and relays the exchange of information between the elevator control device 1 and the robot 2.

[0114] For example, the robot management control device 6 receives a congestion information acquisition request sent from the robot 2 and sends it to the elevator control device 1. The request receiving unit 111 of the elevator control device 1 receives the congestion information acquisition request from the robot management control device 6. In addition, the notification unit 113 of the elevator control device 1 notifies the robot management control device 6 of the congestion information. The robot management control device 6 transmits the congestion information notified by the elevator control device 1 to the robot 2. Based on the congestion information received from the robot management control device 6, the robot 2 decides whether or not to request call registration.

[0115] Furthermore, the robot management control device 6 receives a call registration request transmitted from the robot 2 and transmits it to the elevator control device 1. The call reception unit 114 of the elevator control device 1 receives the call registration request from the robot management control device 6.

[0116] Furthermore, the elevator control device 1 transmits to the robot management control device 6 information indicating that call registration has been completed and information indicating that the car 31 has arrived at a floor and opened its door, and the robot management control device 6 transmits this received information to the robot 2. The robot 2 also transmits a boarding completion signal and a disembarking completion signal to the robot management control device 6, and the robot management control device 6 transmits these received signals to the elevator control device 1.

[0117] In the above-described embodiment, the robot management control device 6 may be configured to perform part of the control of the robot 2. For example, in the elevator control system 100A, the robot management control device 6 may be configured to include the determination unit 212 instead of the robot 2. In this case, the robot management control device 6 stores first reference information 221, second reference information 222, and third reference information.

[0118] When the decision unit 212 of the robot management control device 6 receives congestion information from the elevator control device 1, it decides whether to request call registration. If the decision unit 212 decides to request call registration, it generates a call registration request and sends it to the elevator control device 1. After that, when the robot management control device 6 receives information from the elevator control device 1 indicating that call registration has been completed, it sends that information to the robot 2. This causes the robot 2 to wait for the car 31 at the landing.

[0119] [Embodiment 3] 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator control system 100B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the elevator control system 100B includes an elevator control device 1B, a robot 2B, an elevator 3, a hall camera 4, and a detection device 5.

[0120] The elevator control device 1B differs from the elevator control device 1 in that the elevator control device 1B includes a control unit 11B having a calculation unit 112B instead of the control unit 11 having the calculation unit 112.

[0121] The robot 2B includes a control unit 21B and a storage unit 22B. The control unit 21B differs from the control unit 21 in that the control unit 21B includes a request unit 211B instead of the request unit 211 and a determination unit 212B instead of the determination unit 212. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 22B stores first reference information 221 and second reference information 222. The storage unit 22B differs from the storage unit 22 in that the storage unit 22B does not store third reference information 223.

[0122] The request unit 211B of the robot 2B transmits a congestion information acquisition request to the elevator control device 1B. Here, the congestion information acquisition request transmitted by the request unit 211B includes destination floor information indicating the destination floor of the robot 2B, but does not include departure floor information indicating the departure floor of the robot 2B.

[0123] The calculation unit 112B of the elevator control device 1B calculates destination floor congestion information and car congestion information as congestion information. Note that the calculation unit 112B does not calculate departure floor congestion information. The notification unit 113 of the elevator control device 1B notifies the robot 2B of the congestion information calculated by the calculation unit 112B. The congestion information includes destination floor congestion information and car congestion information, but does not include departure floor congestion information.

[0124] When the decision unit 212B of the robot 2B acquires the congestion information notified from the elevator control device 1B, the decision unit 212B decides whether to make a call registration request. Here, since the congestion information includes destination floor congestion information and car congestion information but does not include departure floor congestion information, the decision unit 212B decides whether to make a call registration request based on the destination floor congestion information, car congestion information, the first criterion, and the second criterion.

[0125] Specifically, the determination unit 212B transmits a call registration request for the car 31 of the elevator 3 to the elevator control device 1B when the congestion state indicated by the destination floor congestion information is equal to or less than a predetermined first standard and the congestion state indicated by the car congestion information is equal to or less than a predetermined second standard. As described above, in the elevator control system 100B, the decision as to whether to register a call is made without taking into consideration the congestion state of the departure floor of the robot 2B.

[0126] [Variation 1] In the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the elevator 3 operates in a robot-only operation mode when the robot 2 uses the elevator 3, but this is not limiting. For example, in the elevator control system 100, the robot 2 and a user may be able to ride together in the car 31. In this case, the second criterion is a criterion for determining whether there is space in the car 31 where the robot 2 can ride. The determination unit 212 of the robot 2 determines whether the robot 2 can ride in the car 31 based on the second criterion and the car congestion status.

[0127] [Variation 2] In each of the above-described embodiments, the request receiving unit 111, the calculation unit 112, and the notification unit 113 are provided in the elevator control device 1. However, the request receiving unit 111, the calculation unit 112, and the notification unit 113 may be provided in a device other than the elevator control device 1. For example, an external device communicatively connected to the robot 2 or the robot management control device 6 may include the request receiving unit 111, the calculation unit 112, and the notification unit 113, and the external device may receive a congestion information acquisition request, calculate the congestion information, and notify the congestion information. In this case, the external device acquires hall images, detection signals, load detection signals, and car interior images from the hall camera 4, the detection device 5, the load detection device 33, and the car interior camera 34, and uses these signals to calculate the congestion information. The robot 2 or the robot management control device 6 transmits a congestion information acquisition request to the external device and receives the congestion information notified from the external device.

[0128] [Variation 3] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a hall camera 4 and a detection device 5 are provided on each floor, and the elevator control device 1 acquires hall images and detection signals, but this is not limiting. For example, only one of the hall camera 4 and the detection device 5 may be provided on each floor. When only the hall camera 4 is provided on each floor, the calculation unit 112 calculates departure floor congestion information or destination floor congestion information based on the hall image information 123. When only the detection device 5 is provided on each floor, the calculation unit 112 calculates departure floor congestion information or destination floor congestion information based on the detection information 124.

[0129] [Variation 4] In the above-described embodiment, the car interior camera 34 and the load detection device 33 are provided in the car 31, and the elevator control device 1 acquires car interior images and load detection signals. However, this is not limiting. For example, only one of the car interior camera 34 and the load detection device 33 may be provided in the car 31. When only the car interior camera 34 is provided in the car 31, the calculation unit 112 calculates car congestion information based on the car interior image information 126. When only the load detection device 33 is provided in the car 31, the calculation unit 112 calculates car congestion information based on the load detection information 125.

[0130] [Variation 5] In the above-described embodiment, the elevator control device 1 notifies the robot 2 of information indicating the congestion status of the departure floor and destination floor of the robot 2 as congestion information, but this is not limited to this. For example, the calculation unit 112 may further calculate intermediate floor congestion information, which is information indicating the congestion status of landings on floors between the departure floor and destination floor of the robot 2, and the notification unit 113 may include the intermediate floor congestion information in the congestion information and transmit it to the robot 2.

[0131] The decision unit 212 of the robot 2 may decide whether to register a call based on the congestion information of intermediate floors, in addition to the congestion information of the departure floor, the car congestion information, and the congestion information of the destination floor. For example, if the congestion status of the landing at the destination floor exceeds a first standard, the decision unit 212 may refer to the congestion information of intermediate floors and transmit a call registration request specifying a floor with a congestion status below a predetermined standard as the destination floor. After getting off at that floor, the robot 2 may set the floor where the robot 2 is located as the departure floor and the original destination floor as the destination floor, and transmit a congestion information acquisition request to the elevator control device 1 again.

[0132] According to the above configuration, if the original destination floor is crowded, the robot 2 gets off at a floor before the destination floor that is relatively less crowded. As a result, even if the robot 2 cannot reach the destination floor in one use of the elevator 3, it can move gradually to the original destination floor via intermediate floors.

[0133] [Variation 6] The robot 2 may perform processing other than determining whether to make a call registration request based on the congestion information. For example, when the congestion state of the departure floor indicated by the departure floor congestion information exceeds a predetermined threshold, the operation control unit 213 of the robot 2 may drive the platform at a slower speed than usual.

[0134] [Variation 7] In the above-described embodiment, the elevator control device 1 calculates the congestion rate at the landing and inside the car 31 of the elevator 3 and notifies the robot 2 of the calculated congestion rate as congestion information, but this is not limited to this. For example, the elevator control device 1 may notify the robot 2 of at least one of the landing image information 123 and the detection information 124 of the destination floor for a predetermined period as destination floor congestion information. The elevator control device 1 may also notify the robot 2 of at least one of the car interior image information 126 and the load detection information 125 for a predetermined period as car congestion information. The elevator control device 1 may also notify the robot 2 of at least one of the landing image information 123 and the detection information 124 of the departure floor for a predetermined period as departure floor congestion information. In this case, the robot 2 analyzes the acquired congestion information, calculates the congestion rates at the landings at the departure floor and the destination floor, and inside the car 31, and determines whether to request call registration based on the calculated congestion rate.

[0135] [Software implementation example] The functions of elevator control systems 100, 100A, 100B (hereinafter referred to as "systems") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the system, and a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the system (particularly each part included in control units 11, 11B, 21, 21B).

[0136] In this case, the system includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program, thereby realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

[0137] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0138] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0139] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may run on the control device or on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0140] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0141] 〔summary〕 The elevator control system according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a request receiving unit that receives a request for congestion information including destination floor information indicating the destination floor of an autonomously traveling robot that uses an elevator; a calculation unit that calculates destination floor congestion information indicating the congestion status of the elevator hall at the destination floor and car congestion information indicating the congestion status inside the elevator car during a predetermined period including the time when the request for congestion information is received; and a notification unit that notifies the congestion information including the destination floor congestion information and the car congestion information.

[0142] In the elevator control system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, the calculation unit may calculate the destination floor congestion information using at least one of (1) a hall image of the elevator hall at the destination floor, (2) a detection signal detecting a user who has arrived at the elevator hall at the destination floor, and (3) information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the user who has registered a hall destination floor call.

[0143] In an elevator control system according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1 or 2, the calculation unit may calculate the car congestion information using at least one of (1) a load detection signal that detects the load inside the car, and (2) an image of the inside of the car that is captured.

[0144] An elevator control system according to aspect 4 of the present invention may be such that, in any of aspects 1 to 3 above, the robot sends a call registration request for the elevator car to an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator when the congestion state indicated by the destination floor congestion information is equal to or less than a predetermined first standard and the congestion state indicated by the car congestion information is equal to or less than a predetermined second standard.

[0145] An elevator control system according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned aspect 4, may be such that the first and second criteria are set according to at least one of the type of the robot and the purpose for which the robot uses the elevator.

[0146] An elevator control system according to aspect 6 of the present invention is such that, in any of aspects 1 to 5 above, the congestion information acquisition request further includes departure floor information indicating the departure floor of the robot, and the calculation unit further calculates departure floor congestion information indicating the congestion status of the elevator hall at the departure floor during the specified period in response to the received congestion information acquisition request, and the congestion information may further include the departure floor congestion information.

[0147] In the elevator control system according to aspect 7 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned aspect 6, the calculation unit may calculate the departure floor congestion information using at least one of (1) a landing image of the elevator landing at the departure floor, (2) a detection signal detecting a user who has arrived at the elevator landing at the departure floor, and (3) information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the user who has registered a landing destination floor call.

[0148] An elevator control system according to aspect 8 of the present invention may be such that, in aspect 6 or 7 above, the robot sends a call registration request for the elevator car to an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator when the congestion level indicated by the destination floor congestion information is equal to or lower than a first standard, the congestion level indicated by the car congestion information is equal to or lower than a second standard, and the congestion level indicated by the departure floor congestion information is equal to or lower than a third standard.

[0149] An elevator control system according to aspect 9 of the present invention is such that, in aspect 8 above, the first criterion, the second criterion, and the third criterion may be set based on at least one of the type of the robot and the purpose for which the robot uses the elevator.

[0150] An elevator control system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the elevator control system of the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the first standard is set lower than the third standard.

[0151] An elevator control system according to aspect 11 of the present invention may be such that, in any of aspects 1 to 10 above, the request receiving unit receives a request to obtain congestion information from the robot, and the notification unit notifies the robot of the congestion information.

[0152] An elevator control system according to aspect 12 of the present invention may be such that, in any of aspects 1 to 10 above, the request receiving unit receives a request to obtain congestion information from a management device that manages the robot, and the notification unit notifies the management device of the congestion information.

[0153] A control method for an elevator control system according to aspect 13 of the present invention includes a request receiving step for receiving a request for congestion information including destination floor information indicating the destination floor of an autonomously-traveling robot that uses an elevator; a calculation step for calculating destination floor congestion information indicating the congestion status of the elevator hall at the destination floor and car congestion information indicating the congestion status inside the elevator car during a predetermined period including the time when the request for congestion information is received; and a notification step for notifying congestion information including the destination floor congestion information and the car congestion information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 1, 1B Elevator control device 2, 2B Robot 3. Elevator 6. Robot management control device (management device) 31 Basket 100, 100A, 100B elevator control system 111 Request Reception Department 112, 112B calculation section 113 Notification Department S11 Request acceptance step S12, S13 calculation steps S15 Notification Step

Claims

1. a request receiving unit that receives a congestion information acquisition request including destination floor information indicating a destination floor of an elevator for an autonomously movable robot that uses the elevator; a calculation unit that calculates destination floor congestion information indicating a congestion state of the elevator hall at the destination floor and car congestion information indicating a congestion state in the elevator car during a predetermined period including the time when the congestion information acquisition request is received; A notification unit that notifies congestion information including the destination floor congestion information and the car congestion information; An elevator control system comprising:

2. The calculation unit The destination floor congestion information is calculated using at least one of: (1) a hall image of the elevator hall at the destination floor; (2) a detection signal of a user who has arrived at the elevator hall at the destination floor; and (3) information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the user who has registered a hall destination floor call.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

3. The calculation unit (1) calculating the car congestion information using at least one of a load detection signal that detects the load inside the car and (2) an image of the inside of the car; 10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

4. The robot when the congestion state indicated by the destination floor congestion information is equal to or less than a predetermined first standard and the congestion state indicated by the car congestion information is equal to or less than a predetermined second standard, transmitting a call registration request for the elevator car to an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator; 10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

5. the first criterion and the second criterion are set according to at least one of the type of the robot and the purpose of the robot using the elevator; 5. The elevator control system of claim 4.

6. The congestion information acquisition request further includes departure floor information indicating a departure floor of the robot, The calculation unit In response to the received congestion information acquisition request, further calculates departure floor congestion information indicating a congestion state of the elevator hall at the departure floor during the predetermined period, The congestion information further includes the departure floor congestion information, 10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

7. The calculation unit The departure floor congestion information is calculated using at least one of: (1) a landing image of the elevator landing at the departure floor; (2) a detection signal of a user who has arrived at the elevator landing at the departure floor; and (3) information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the user who has registered a landing destination floor call.

7. The elevator control system of claim 6.

8. When the congestion state indicated by the destination floor congestion information is equal to or less than a first standard, the congestion state indicated by the car congestion information is equal to or less than a second standard, and the congestion state indicated by the departure floor congestion information is equal to or less than a third standard, the robot transmits a call registration request for the elevator car to an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator.

7. The elevator control system of claim 6.

9. The first criterion, the second criterion, and the third criterion are set based on at least one of the type of the robot and the purpose for which the robot uses the elevator.

9. The elevator control system of claim 8.

10. The first standard is set lower than the third standard.

9. The elevator control system of claim 8.

11. the request receiving unit receives the congestion information acquisition request from the robot, The notification unit notifies the robot of the congestion information.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

12. the request receiving unit receives the congestion information acquisition request from a management device that manages the robot; The notification unit notifies the management device of the congestion information.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

13. a request receiving step of receiving a congestion information acquisition request including destination floor information indicating a destination floor of the autonomously movable robot using the elevator; a calculation step of calculating destination floor congestion information indicating a congestion state of the elevator hall at the destination floor and car congestion information indicating a congestion state in the elevator car during a predetermined period including the time when the congestion information acquisition request is received; a notification step of notifying congestion information including the destination floor congestion information and the car congestion information; A control method for an elevator control system including:

Images